20 Gauge Single advice needed.

Jonesyatpl

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
476   0   0
Location
Nanoose Bay, BC
Hi all.

Looking to get a (used) 20 gauge single. Kids are starting to eye up the grouse. Must have both a hammerless design and an ejector, not an extractor. Anyone have a brand in mind to look at or avoid? So far i was thinking Baikal. Any input appreciated!

J
 
Personally I always preferred a hammer gun when introducing new hunters to guns. Just the appearance of a drawn back hammer announces she is ready to go. Kinda like a cat with its ears laid back. With a cross bolt safety hammerless action you never know if the new kid has the shotgun in a "safe" condition. Just my 2 cents.
 
just wondering why it has to be hammerless (kids might have a hard time pulling the hammer back?). I bought myself a H&R Pardner 20ga and love the thing! Easy and light to carry and perfect for grouse. They also make a youth model in 20ga which has a shorter barrel and shorter length of pull (I almost bought it just because it is quite a bit smaller). Most hammer guns have a transfer bar between the hammer and firing pin that will only fire a round if the trigger has been pulled (just in case you we're worried about their thumb slipping off the hammer while cocking it), of coarse muzzle control and gun safety comes first, but it is nice to know they will have 10 toes at the end of the day. Any way, good luck with the search and a great choice for starting them off upland bird hunting.
 
"...kids might have a hard time pulling the hammer back..." If they can't they're too small to control the recoil of anything. A gas operated semi, loaded with one round, will fix that. And you won't be shopping for another gun in a few years.
 
Find an old cooey/Winchester model 37a? I love mine.


Pulling the hammer isn't too bad but my son does have a bit of a hard time as you can see (and hooking on the trigger guard is not the best form

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k31XxmAvOYA
 
Last edited:
I have a Baikal 20. I think its the mp-18me (the mp-18m or mm is extractor only) It has an ejector with a switch to make it extractor. Seems to be a pretty decent little shotgun. Does what its supposed to do. Extremely stiff when new though, the kids would not be able to crack or close it until it breaks in.
 
Went with a Remington 870 compact junior 20ga. WSS had 10% off this week on all guns. Remington gave an additional 30 dollar rebate. Wife and kids love it! Came in under 300 bucks for a brand new gun:)
 
"...kids might have a hard time pulling the hammer back..." If they can't they're too small to control the recoil of anything. A gas operated semi, loaded with one round, will fix that. And you won't be shopping for another gun in a few years.

This is the worst advice I have ever heard.... are you serious?..... You would have a kid haul around a big heavy semi just to save yourself $150?..... Good way to get a new shooter turned off on hunting..... Semis are lousy grouse guns.... do you even hunt and shoot at all?

The baikal is an excellent choice.... and there is a small button that pops up on the back to show that it is cocked.... very easy to see.... lightweight.... I also love the small square piece on the top of the receiver that acts like a vented rib and helps you line up the bead.... great idea...
 
Personally I always preferred a hammer gun when introducing new hunters to guns. Just the appearance of a drawn back hammer announces she is ready to go. Kinda like a cat with its ears laid back. With a cross bolt safety hammerless action you never know if the new kid has the shotgun in a "safe" condition. Just my 2 cents.

I do all of my upland hunting with break action guns. I carry them broken until I am ready to shoot, and everyone can plainly see that the gun is broken, and safe. Most people that I hunt pheasants or upland birds with also shoot o/u guns, and carry them with the action open.
 
Not all semis are heavy. I have a Weatherby SA-08 20ga. that is nice and light. My wife tried an H&R .410 single, but found it too difficult to pull the hammer back. I can see a smaller kid having trouble. She opted for a Bioto instead.
 
Back
Top Bottom